<p> Cobalt-clusters are versatile reagents in organometallic chemistry. Their ability to protect an alkyne allows one to selectively manipulate a ligand without undergoing a competitive reaction from the alkyne. Cobalt-clusters geometrically modify linear alkynes to 136-145° degrees, thereby allowing for some non-traditional alkynyl chemistry to occur. In particular, the focus of this dissertation lies upon the chemistry of cobalt-complexed propargyl alkynols, the ability of cobalt to stabilize neighbouring cations generated from these alcohols, and the chemistry that can be accomplished by altering the steric and electronic effects. We have chosen to study the possibility of inducing migration of various substituents from one terminus of the cobalt-complexed alkyne to the alcoholic site of the propargyl group via protonation of the desired complex. While examining various silanes, and altering the propargyl alcohol itself, we have considered both steric and electronic effects, thereby determining the idealized conditions for such transfers to occur. Furthermore, in our attempts to successfully apply these migrations to several systems, we have acquired a diverse synthetic knowledge of propargyl cobalt-clusters and their intricate reactivity.</p> <p> An examination of the potential for allyl migrations in norbornyl derivatives revealed several fascinating transformations. Upon protonation with HBF4, [(2-endo-allyldimethylsilyl)ethynylborneol]Co2(CO)6, 63, suffers elimination of water or propene, to yield [(2-allyldimethylsilyl)ethynylborn-2-ene]Co2(CO)6, 68, [(2-endo-dimethylfluorosilyl)ethynylborneol]Co2(CO)6, 69, respectively, and, surprisingly, the tricobalt complex (2-norbornylidene)CHCCo3(CO)9, 70, In contrast, protonation of the terminal alkyne (2-endo-ethynylborneol)Co2(CO)6, 76, an anticipated precursor to 70, led instead to (2-ethynyl-2-bornene)Co2(CO)6, 78, and the ring-opened species (2-ethynyl-4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexa-1,3-diene)Co2(CO)6, 79. However, conversion of 76 to 70 was achievable upon prolonged heating at reflux in acetone, thereby also affording the corresponding alcohol, [2-(2-hydroxybornyl)]CH2CCo3(CO)9, 77. A mechanistic rationale is offered for the formation of RCH2CCo3(CO)9 clusters upon protonation of alkyne complexes of the type (RC≡CH)Co2(CO)6.</p> <p> Our interest in acid-promoted rearrangements in cobalt-clusters led us to novel propargyl radical chemistry induced by using particular solvents. The protonation of (1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol)Co2(CO)6, 108, with HBF4 in dichloromethane generates the expected metal-stabilized propargyl cation, and also rearranges to give the tricobalt cluster Ph2C=CH-CCo3(CO)9, 33. In contrast, use of THF as solvent affords the radical (Co2(CO)6)[HC≡C-CPh2·], which dimerizes at the methyne position; subsequent cyclization and carbonylation yields 2,5-bis-(diphenylmethylene)cyclopent-3-en-1-one, 112.</p> <p> Furthermore, use of a fluorenyl substituent, instead of the diphenyl analogue, has uncovered a route to transition-metal peroxides of general synthetic potential. Treatment of benzyl- or vinyl-dimethylsilylethynylfluoren-9-ol[Co2(CO)6], 53 and 54, respectively, with HBF4 in diethyl ether or THF has afforded the very first known bimetallic transition metal peroxides, 124 and 125.</p> <p> Finally, the ability of cobalt-clusters to alter the geometry of cycloalkanes has been investigated. Treatment of 1-[axial]-(trimethylsilylethynyl)cyclohexan-1-ol, 129, with dicobalt octacarbonyl results in a conformational ring flip such that the bulky dicobalt-alkyne cluster moiety now occupies the favored equatorial site. However, when a 4-tert-butyl substituent is present, the coordinated alkynyl group retains its original axial or equatorial position.</p> <p> Complexation of trans-[diaxial]-1,4-bis(triphenylsilylethynyl)cyclohexan-1,4-diol, 142, brings about a chair-to-chair conformational inversion such that both cluster fragments now occupy equatorial sites. In contrast, cis-1,4 bis(triphenylsilylethynyl)cyclohexan-1,4-diol, 143, reacts with Co2(CO)8 to yield the twist-boat conformer, 145, in which the two axial hydroxy substituents exhibit intra-molecular hydrogen bonding. Likewise, the corresponding reaction of cis-1 ,4bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)cyclohexan-1,4-diol, 147, with Co2(CO)8 leads to a twist-boat, 149, but, in this case, the molecules are linked through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The importance of X-ray crystallography in the unambiguous determination of molecular conformations has been emphasized.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylases (AAADs) are a group of economically important enzymes categorically joined through their pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependence and sequence homology. Extensive evolutionary divergence of this enzyme family has resulted in a selection of enzymes with stringent aromatic amino acid substrate specificities. Variations in substrate specificities enable individual enzymes to catalyze key reactions in a diverse set of pathways impacting the synthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (including the pharmacologically active vinblastine and quinine), benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (including the pharmacologically active papaverine, codeine, morphine, and sanguinarine), and antioxidant and chemotherapeutic amides. Recent studies of plant AAAD proteins demonstrated that in addition to the typical decarboxylation enzymes, some annotated plant AAAD proteins are actually aromatic acetaldehyde synthases (AASs). These AASs catalyze a decarboxylation-oxidative deamination process of aromatic amino acids, leading to the production of aromatic acetaldehydes rather than the AAAD derived arylalkylamines. Research has implicated that plant AAS enzymes are involved in the production of volatile flower scents, floral attractants, and defensive phenolic acetaldehyde secondary metabolites. Historically, the structural elements responsible for differentiating plant AAAD substrate specificity and activity have been difficult to identify due to strong AAAD and AAS inter-enzyme homology. Through extensive bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification of plant AAADs, we have determined some structural elements unique to given types of AAADs. This document highlights structural components apparently responsible for the differentiation of activity and substrate specificity. In addition to producing primary sequence identifiers capable of AAAD activity and substrate specificity differentiation, this work has also demonstrated applications of AAAD enzyme engineering and novel activity identification. / Ph. D.

Les catalyseurs Pt-Rh supportés ont montré des propriétés intéressantes en ouverture sélective des naphtènes. Les performances catalytiques de ces catalyseurs dépendent, entre autres, de l'interaction entre le rhodium et le platine. L'objectif de ces travaux portait sur l'étude de l'influence de la méthode de préparation sur les interactions Pt-Rh. Dans ce but, plusieurs voies reposant sur des stratégies de synthèse différentes ont été sélectionnées, des plus classiques, comme l'imprégnation, aux plus sophistiquées, comme la modification d'un catalyseur monométallique parent par ajout d'un second métal par réaction de surface, la formation des particules Pt-Rh au sein de microémulsion ou de microsuspension ou encore la réduction des précurseurs métalliques assistée par radiolyse. Les catalyseurs ont été caractérisés par diverses techniques telles que la chimisorption d'hydrogène, la microscopie électronique en transmission, la réduction en température programmée, l'adsorption de molécules sondes (CO ou NO puis CO) suivie par infrarouge ou encore par réactions modèles. Ces caractérisations ont permis de mettre en évidence que (i) les imprégnations classiques ou assistées par radiolyse mènent à un mélange de particules monométalliques et bimétalliques, (ii) les méthodes de modification de surface permettent le dépôt du second métal sur les sites spécifiques des particules métalliques préformées, (iii) la synthèse des particules métalliques en microsuspension ou microémulsion permet également l'obtention de particules bimétalliques, mais avec la présence d'alliages Pt-Rh de surface. / Pt-Rh supported catalysts have demonstrated interesting properties in selective ring opening of naphthenic molecules. Their catalytic performances depend on several properties like platinum-rhodium interaction. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the preparation method on Pt-Rh interactions. For this purpose, several preparation ways were selected, from the most classical ones, such as impregnation, to more sophisticated ways such as (1) surface modification of monometallic catalyst by addition of a second metal (surface reactions), (2) formation of Pt-Rh particles in microemulsion or in microsuspension, or (3) impregnation assisted by radiolysis. Catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as hydrogen chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy, temperature programmed reduction, adsorption of probe molecules (CO or NO then CO) followed by infrared spectroscopy, or model reactions.These characterizations allowed demonstrating that (i) the classical impregnation or the one assisted by radiolysis leads to monometallic and bimetallic particles, (ii) metal deposition on specific sites of preformed metallic particles can be obtained by surface modification of monometallic catalysts, (iii) the synthesis of metallic particles in microemulsion or microsuspension yields bimetallic entities with Pt-Rh alloy at the particle surface.

A presente tese fornece uma revisão bibliográfica dos trabalhos mais importantes sobre as reduções catódicas e anódicas do grupo carbonila em aldeídos, cetonas, dicetonas, cetonas &#945;, &#946;-insaturadas, cetoácidos, cetoésteres, e ésteres &#945;, &#946 -insaturados. São descritas as sínteses por nós efetuadas de 13 hidroxi e cetoésteres metílicos, a saber: mandelato , 4-carbometoxi, 4-cloro, 4-nitro e 4-metoximandelatos, &#945;-fenil-&#946;-hidroxibutirato, fenilglioxilato, 4-carbometoxi, 4-cloro, 4-nitro e 4-metoxifenilglioxilatos,benzilpiruvato e piruvato. A pureza desses compostos foi testada por meio de espectroscopia no I.V .e R.M.N., cromatografia de gás ou em camada delgada e, em alguns casos, por análise elementar. 4-nitrofenilglioxilato, 4-carbometoxifenilglioxilato e 4-carbometoximandelato, compostos ainda não descritos na literatura, foram caracterizados e analisados. O trabalho fornece as eletrólises, com eletrodos de platina em metanol, de 10 cetoésteres que incluem, além dos acima enumerados, o &#945; -cetobutirato de metila, 4-cetopimelato de etila e o cetomalonato de etila. Os produtos de reação obtidos foram identificados por métodos cromatográficos e espectroscópicos. São apresentadas dois tipos de experiências eletrolíticas: as simples e as que foram acompanhadas em tempos periódicos pela análise cromatográfica, sendo as primeiras, em alguns casos, repetidas, variando-se o tempo da eletrólise. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que são reduzidos aos hidroxiésteres correspondentes os seguintes cetoésteres contendo anel aromático: fenilglioxilato, 4-cloro e 4-carbometoxifenilglioxilatos e benzilpiruvato, como também, os 2 cetoésteres alifáticos -&#945; -cetobutirato e piruvato. Entretanto, verifica-se que tanto 4-nitro e 4-metoxifenilglioxilatos como cetomalonato e 4-cetopimelato não sofrem redução. Estes resultados comparados com os anteriores do nosso laboratório, permitem sugerir a seguinte ordem de velocidade da redução: &#945; -cetovalerato &#62; &#945;-cetobutirato &#62; piruvato &#62; fenilglioxilato) &#62; 4-clorofenilglioxilato &#62; 4-carbometoxifenilglioxilato. São fornecidas provas de que a falta de reatividade de 4-nitrofenilglioxilato e cetomalonato e a diminuição de reatividade de 4-cloro e 4-carbometoxifenilglioxilatos, como também, de piruvato são devidas à existência do equilíbrio cetoéster-semiacetaléster nestes compostos, em metanol. Finalmente, é apresenta.da uma discussão do mecanismo da redução de cetoésteres que justificaria a diminuição de reatividade de fenilglioxilato em relação aos &#945;-cetoésteres alifáticos e a falta de reatividade. de 4-cetopimelato e 4-metoxifenilglioxilatonilglioxilato. / The present work describes the syntheses of some aliphatic and aromatic &#945;-hydroxy - and &#945;-keto-methyl esters and reports the electrolyses of the latter, in methanol, at a platinum cathode Some simple electrolytic experiments, varying the experimental conditions as well as those in which the transformations occurring during the electrolyses were followed by gas chromatography, are described. The reactivities towards cathodic reduction are reported and the following order of the relative rate for the reduction is suggested: &#945;-oxovalerate &#62; &#945;-oxobutyrate &#62; pyruvate> phenylglyoxylate &#62; 4-chlorophenylglyoxylate &#62; 4-methoxycarbonylphenylglyoxylate .No reduction is found to occur with 4-methoxyphenylglyoxylate 4-nitrophenylglyoxylate or 4-oxopymelate .An explanation for these differences in reactivities is suggested on the basis of electronic effects, steric inhibition of coplanarity, and hemiacetal formation

Nosso objetivo principal é aproveitar a bem conhecida diastereosseletividade &#960;-facial das (SS)-2-tolilsulfinil-1,4-benzoquinonas, em reações de Diels-Alder, para obter, via metátese olefínica fototérmica, precursores enantiopuros do capneleno e da icarugamicina. Devido à formação de uma inseparável mistura de produtos na reação da (SS)-2-tolilsulfinil-1,4-benzoquinona com 1-metilciclopentadieno comercial, esta rota se tornou inviável para obtenção do capneleno. Visando-se a síntese do precursor da icarugamicina, foram preparadas as 5 e 6-metil-2-tolilsulfinil-1,4-benzoquinonas mas, apesar dos bons resultados de seletividade &#960;-facial que estas apresentaram com o 1,3-cicloexadieno, a eliminação espontânea de ácido sulfênico nos adutos de Diels-Alder formados impediu o uso destes últimos. Numa tentativa de sobrepujar este inconveniente, uma nova quinona clorada foi preparada mas esta se mostrou um oxidante frente ao 1,3-cicloexadieno. / Our main objective is to take advantage of the well known &#960;-facial diastereoselectivity of (SS)-2-tolylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinones, in the Diels-Alder reactions, to obtain, via photo-thermal olefin metathesis, enantiopure precursors of capnellene and ikarugamycin. The formation of an inseparable mixture of products in the reaction of commercially available methylcyclopentadiene and (SS)-2-tolylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinone made this route unsuitable for obtaining capnellene. For the synthesis of ikarugamycin, the 5 and 6-methyl-2-(SS)-tolylsulfinyl-1,4-benzoquinones were prepared but, in spite of the good &#960;-diastereoselectivity they exhibited, in the reaction with 1,3-cyclohexadiene, spontaneous elimination of sulfenic acid from the formed adducts precluded their use. In an attempt to overcome this very easy elimination, a chlorinated quinone was synthesized but it showed oxidizing properties in the presence of 1,3-cyclohexadiene.

Os complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio estão entre os melhores sistemas conhecidos, usados em fotocatálise e dispositivos fotoeletroquímicos, como na fotodecomposição da água e células solares sensibilizadas por corantes. Neste particular, ainda persiste o grande desafio de aumentar a capacidade de coleta de luz e melhorar os parâmetros críticos, Voc e Jsc, das células, expandindo a absorção da luz para a região do vermelho no espectro solar, porém sem reduzir ou comprometer o potencial redox do corante. Para isso, ligantes auxiliares, como SCN- tem sidousados como estratégia para trabalhar o nível HOMO do corante, de modo a deslocar a banda de absorção dos complexos para o vermelho. Entretanto, ligantes como o tiocianato são susceptíveis a reações de substituição, e o desempenho de outros ligantes sulfurados pode ser um importante aspecto a ser investigado. Além disso, ligantes &#960;-receptores adequados, como a 4,4&#8217;-dimetil,1-10- bipiridina (dmb), podem atuar na transferência vetorial de energia, aumentando o fluxo da fotoinjeção. Dessa forma, nesta tese introduziu-se um novo sistema, especialmente projetado, empregando a mono e tricarboxiterpiridina (mctpy e tctpy respectivamente) como elementos de ligação e fotoinjeção no TiO2; a dmb como componente vetorial, e a 4-mercaptopiridina (merc) como agente coadjuvante. Os complexos [Ru(mctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 e [Ru(tctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2, incluindo o derivado de 4,4&#8217;-bipyridina para fins comparativos, foram sintetizados e caracterizados, e seu comportamento fotoeletroquímico extensamente investigado. Foi ainda observado um inesperado processo de fotooxidação da 4-mercaptopiridina no complexo, na presença de ar, cuja investigação acabou fornecendo provas de sua ligação no complexo, por meio do átomo de enxofre. Os novos agentes fotosensibilizadores conduziram a resultados interessantes em relação ao design proposto, mas que poderão ser aperfeiçoados aumentando-se a concentração dos agentes, e diminuindo as reações de recombinação na interface. / Ruthenium polypyridine complexes are amongst the best systems ever known for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical devices, such as in water splitting and in dye sensitized solar cells. In this particular regard, a great current challenge is to improve light harvesting and the Voc and Jsc parameters, by enhancing light absorption in the near-infrared without substantially reducing the redox potential of the dye. For this purpose, ancillary ligands, such as SCN- have been commonly employed for tunneling the HOMO level, and shift the absorption band to the red. However, thiocyanate ligands are susceptible to substitution reactions, and the behavior of other sulfur donor ligands such as 4-mercaptopyridine, becomes an important aspect to be investigated. In addition, suitable -acceptor ligands, such as dimethyl bipyiridine, can also promote vectorial energy transfer and improve the photoinjection performance. Accordingly, this thesis is focused on a new, specially designed ruthenium dye, encompassing mono and tricarboxyterpyridine, (mctpy and tctpy, respectively), as nanocrystalline TiO2 binder and photoinjecting elements; 4,4&#8217;- dimethyl-1,10-bipyridine (dmb) for vectorial energy transfer, and 4-mercaptopyridine (mer) as ancillary ligand. The [Ru(mctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 and [Ru(tctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 complexes, and the 4,4-bipyridine derivative (for comparison purposes), were synthesized and characterized, and their photoelectrochemical behavior extensively investigated. An unexpected photooxidation of the 4-mercaptopyridine ligand in the presence of air has also been observed and elucidated, providing important clues for its binding in the complex through the sulfur atom. The new photosensitizing agents led to rather interesting results in relation to the proposed design, but which can be further improved by handling with the dyes concentration and recombination reactions at the interface.

Os complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio estão entre os melhores sistemas conhecidos, usados em fotocatálise e dispositivos fotoeletroquímicos, como na fotodecomposição da água e células solares sensibilizadas por corantes. Neste particular, ainda persiste o grande desafio de aumentar a capacidade de coleta de luz e melhorar os parâmetros críticos, Voc e Jsc, das células, expandindo a absorção da luz para a região do vermelho no espectro solar, porém sem reduzir ou comprometer o potencial redox do corante. Para isso, ligantes auxiliares, como SCN- tem sidousados como estratégia para trabalhar o nível HOMO do corante, de modo a deslocar a banda de absorção dos complexos para o vermelho. Entretanto, ligantes como o tiocianato são susceptíveis a reações de substituição, e o desempenho de outros ligantes sulfurados pode ser um importante aspecto a ser investigado. Além disso, ligantes &#960;-receptores adequados, como a 4,4&#8217;-dimetil,1-10- bipiridina (dmb), podem atuar na transferência vetorial de energia, aumentando o fluxo da fotoinjeção. Dessa forma, nesta tese introduziu-se um novo sistema, especialmente projetado, empregando a mono e tricarboxiterpiridina (mctpy e tctpy respectivamente) como elementos de ligação e fotoinjeção no TiO2; a dmb como componente vetorial, e a 4-mercaptopiridina (merc) como agente coadjuvante. Os complexos [Ru(mctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 e [Ru(tctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2, incluindo o derivado de 4,4&#8217;-bipyridina para fins comparativos, foram sintetizados e caracterizados, e seu comportamento fotoeletroquímico extensamente investigado. Foi ainda observado um inesperado processo de fotooxidação da 4-mercaptopiridina no complexo, na presença de ar, cuja investigação acabou fornecendo provas de sua ligação no complexo, por meio do átomo de enxofre. Os novos agentes fotosensibilizadores conduziram a resultados interessantes em relação ao design proposto, mas que poderão ser aperfeiçoados aumentando-se a concentração dos agentes, e diminuindo as reações de recombinação na interface. / Ruthenium polypyridine complexes are amongst the best systems ever known for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical devices, such as in water splitting and in dye sensitized solar cells. In this particular regard, a great current challenge is to improve light harvesting and the Voc and Jsc parameters, by enhancing light absorption in the near-infrared without substantially reducing the redox potential of the dye. For this purpose, ancillary ligands, such as SCN- have been commonly employed for tunneling the HOMO level, and shift the absorption band to the red. However, thiocyanate ligands are susceptible to substitution reactions, and the behavior of other sulfur donor ligands such as 4-mercaptopyridine, becomes an important aspect to be investigated. In addition, suitable -acceptor ligands, such as dimethyl bipyiridine, can also promote vectorial energy transfer and improve the photoinjection performance. Accordingly, this thesis is focused on a new, specially designed ruthenium dye, encompassing mono and tricarboxyterpyridine, (mctpy and tctpy, respectively), as nanocrystalline TiO2 binder and photoinjecting elements; 4,4&#8217;- dimethyl-1,10-bipyridine (dmb) for vectorial energy transfer, and 4-mercaptopyridine (mer) as ancillary ligand. The [Ru(mctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 and [Ru(tctpy)(dmb)(merc)](PF6)2 complexes, and the 4,4-bipyridine derivative (for comparison purposes), were synthesized and characterized, and their photoelectrochemical behavior extensively investigated. An unexpected photooxidation of the 4-mercaptopyridine ligand in the presence of air has also been observed and elucidated, providing important clues for its binding in the complex through the sulfur atom. The new photosensitizing agents led to rather interesting results in relation to the proposed design, but which can be further improved by handling with the dyes concentration and recombination reactions at the interface.

No description available.

Gegenstand dieser Arbeit ist die Synthese und Charakterisierung von Bis-1,3-azol-Derivaten insbesondere im Hinblick auf ihre potentielle Einsatzfähigkeit als chemisches Sensormaterial. Nach bereits bekannten Methoden gelang es, zehn neue Bisoxazol-Derivate sowie zehn neue Dicarbonsäurediester herzustellen. Weiterhin wurden 13 neue Bisimidazol- und vier neue Lophin-Derivate synthetisiert. Die erhaltenen Röntgeneinkristallstrukturanalysen zeigen, dass vor allem lineare Bisimidazol- und Bisoxazol-Derivate gute Eigenschaften als Clathratbildner aufweisen. Die Bisoxazol-Derivate mit Pyridin als Spacerelement eignen sich vorwiegend zur Komplexierung von Nickel(II)-, Kupfer(II)- und Kobalt(II)-ionen. Aus den fluoreszenzspektroskopischen Untersuchungen geht hervor, dass verschiedene Analytdämpfe unterschiedliche Auswirkungen auf die Festkörperfluoreszenz ausüben. Somit erscheint der Einsatz von Derivaten dieser Verbindungsklasse in chemischen Fluoreszenzsensoren erfolgversprechend.

Cette Thèse traite de la ferroélectricité magnétiquement induite dans deux pérovskites quadruples de manganèse: (LaMn3)Mn4O12 et (YMn3)Mn4O12. Tous deux possèdent une monovalence et une structure antiferromagnétique commensurable des sites B. Ces caractéristiques simples, font de ces composés métastables et stabilisés sous haute pression, des systèmes modèles pour identifier la contribution des interactions d’échange symétrique et antisymétrique à la polarisation. YMO est une nouvelle phase dans laquelle le faible rayon de l’ion Y3+ augmente la pression chimique et donc l’interaction d’échange. L’orientation magnétique des sites B à lieu 30 degrés plus haut que dans LMO, à TN,B=108 K. En revanche, nous mesurons une polarisation, P = 0.54 μC cm-2, identique dans les deux composés. Il s’agit d’une valeur record dans les ferroélectriques magnétiques. De façon inattendue, la nature de la ferroélectricité magnétique est très différente dans chaque composé. Dans LMO, la ferroélectricité apparaît à la transition magnétique des sites B, à TN,B = 78 K, mais nous ne reportons pas de brisure du centre d’inversion par diffraction de rayons X ou par spectroscopie Raman et IR. Nous tentons d’expliquer ce résultat inattendu dans le cadre de la théorie phénoménologique des ferroélectriques impropres. D’un autre côté, dans YMO, nous observons l’apparition de la ferroélectricité à T* = 70 K bien que T* ne corresponde pas à une transition magnétique. En effet, à T* nous reportons seulement une anomalie magnétique suggérant un ordre magnétique latent. La transition structurale, qui a lieu à Ts, pourrait être responsable de l’alignement des domaines ferroélectriques. / In the present Thesis, we study the large ferroelectricity induced by magnetism in two quadruple perovskite compounds: (LaMn3)Mn4O12 and (YMn3)Mn4O12, which both display single-valent properties and a commensurate C-type antiferromagnetic structure of the B-sites. These simple features offer a playground to elucidate the contribution of the symmetric and antisymmetric exchange interactions to the polarization. Both compounds are metastable and stabilized under high-pressure. YMO is a new phase, where the small Y3+ ion exerts a large chemical pressure, which is expected to enhance the exchange interaction and, thus, the spontaneous polarization. We find an ordering temperature of the B-sites, 30 K higher than in LMO. On the other hand, we surprisingly find identical values of the spontaneous polarization, P = 0.54 μC cm-2, in both compounds. It is a record value for magnetic ferroelectrics. In spite of the similarities, the nature of magnetic ferroelectricity appears to be very different in the two compounds. In LMO, ferroelectricity is induced by the magnetic ordering of B-sites, although no indication of inversion symmetry breaking is detected. We argue that this puzzling observation is consistent with prediction of domain structure in improper ferroelectrics. On the other hand, in YMO, the occurrence of ferroelectricity at T*=70 K is consistent with a polar structural modulation below Ts=200 K, however T* does not correspond to any long-range magnetic transition. Indeed, T* marks a magnetic anomaly suggesting a latent magnetic phase. We put forward the hypothesis that the above polar distortion of the crystal structure may force the alignment of polar domains.